St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1887-06-11

the yard. the dogs are brought out. and
the whole pack gathers about his horse s
feet, yelping in eagernes>. and watch
ing his face for the command to follow.
The dogs know what is coming. and are
impatient to be put on the scent. They
keep close to the master until they get
to the throw-off or the place where the
scent begins. When they find the scent,
away they go. and it takes good horse
and a good rider to keep near them.
Perhaps the most interesting part
OF the sport is watching the hounds do
their work. They have their individual
peculiarities. that the master will dis
cover. and they learn his ways and his
voice and submit to his guidance.
There is much jealousy among the dogs.
and when they are keen on the scent it
is amusing to watch them and see how
they try to get the hest Of each other.
The older dogs get the scent and follow
it, and the rest run with them. spread
ing out to the sides SO as to catch the
scent on sharp turns when the leaders
overrun and lose it. Sometimes dog
that is on the extreme will get the scent
and give tongue and all the rest will
turn to follow him. That is called
scoring to cry and is pretty sight.
1t gives dog that is behind the lead Of
the pack. and the old dogs will strain
every nerve to regain their lost posi-
tions. Sometimes the leaders of the
pack will spread out to both sides in
search of the scent A dog tagging
behind will keep on his course. come
right down through the center Of the
pack. get the scent, and scurry away in
front Of the whole LOT. Ihave seen old
dogs dodge around piece Of brush or
cover. understanding that the fox has
gone through. and take up the scent on
the other side. leaving the younger and
inexperienced hounds to work through
the brush and bring up the rear of
the procession. To make the hounds
run keen it is necessary to give them
something to run after besides the Olor
of anise. So we have q fox turped out
at the head of the run and let the dogs
chase him. The fox is released from a
bag about half an hour before the
hounds come into sight. and one old
dog is put upon his trail to keep him
running and prevent his being surprised
by the pack. The old hound can not
catch him. and even If he could get up
to him the fox would beat the dog of.
1t is very seldom that a single dog will
tackle fox. have seen fox spring
out from the middle Of pack and
escape scot free. Very often our foxes
escape, and am glad to see them get |
away. don't like to see the hounds |
tear fox. and am not in favor Of using |
foxes any oftener than is necessary to |
keep the hounds keen in running. On
Hampstead Plains the fox has every
thing in his favor. and If he does not sit |
down and wait until the hounds are |
close upon him he has a pretty good /,
chance to save himself. In laying the
scent with the drag variety in the run is
secured. At vals the man picks up
the drag and carries it. making break
thatgives the hounds check. While the |
dogs are trying to recover the scent the |
horses get a breafhing-spell and the |
riders who have fallen behind have a |
chance to catch up The pack spreads |
out and works over the gronnd until |
one Of the dogs gels s:ssatta ard gives !
tongue. when all the lsonr,is are called |
together by the master and the run il |
resumed.
Hunting on Long Island is more
dangerous than it is in England. because
the fences are worse. A five-foot rail
fence is an ugly thing to face. and both
the horse and rider must have nerve to
take it. An English hedge is a trifling
obstacle in comparison. In approach
ing hedge. the horse can judge his
stride because he sees solid object be-
lore him. but he sees through fence
md is liable to mi>judge the distance.
In jumping hedge ditch is something
# an aid to taking of. think. and
no harm is done If the horse
ouches i'm going over. because his legs
will brush through the top. If horse
ails to clear stiff rail-fence and strikes
he top. he will hurt his legs or get
BAD fall. There are no gaps in Long
sland fences, and very few gates
through which timid hunter may ride
man who follows the MeadOwbrook
lounds must make up his mind to ride,
-:.lo ,,.,l If IN hasvsN tho rz,-,,x 60 |
AXE every fence as he comes to it he
lad better stay at home.
.1Our men get falls enough to make
he sport exciting. In one season got
hirty-two falls, broke mywrist, smashed
nv nose. broke a finger. and was rolled
,pon great many times was riding
.reen horses that year. Broken collar
zones, arms, legs and shoulders are
'ommon results of falls over rail fences.
/ is very easy to get a fall If one does
lot manage his horse just right. In
.oing at fence rider must manage
lis horse according to the animals
vays and temper. Some horses must
'e urged at jump. others must be
and others must be let alone
md allowed to have their own way.
The most important point is to avoid
interfering with the horse just Is he
makes the jump. or takes of. - We
'ay. II his head is pulled to one side
" any nervous movement Of the riders
hand. the horse loses his balance and
nay hit his knees on the top rail. and
hat will give the rider bad fall. and
perhaps hurt the horse. A great deal
depends upon the manner Of holding {
he reins, technically called hand.